WTAM Local News

Lockheed Martin to close in Akron

(Akron) – A major Akron employer is closing operations. Lockheed Martin announced today that its facility at the former Goodyear Airdock will be closed by mid-2015, putting about 500 local people out of work. The closure is part of a company-wide plan to close other operations, and as many as 4,000 Lockheed Martin workers nationwide could lose their jobs.

In a statement issued Thursday, Lockheed Martin said the closures and consolidations, including Akron, are “part of its effort to increase the efficiency of its operations and improve the affordability of its products and services. These actions are in response to continued declines in U.S. Government spending.

In addition to Akron, Lockheed Martin also plans to close facilities in Newtown, Penna., Goodyear, Ariz., and Horizon City, Texas. Lockheed Martin is in the global security and aerospace businesses.